CCSD working to finalize priority list of new building projects - Live5News.com | Charleston, SC | News, Weather, Sports

CHARLESTON COUNTY, SC (WCSC) - Charleston County school leaders are filling out their wish lists for new schools, renovations, and expansions, including projects like shared sports stadiums.

The clock is ticking before the projects are put before voters, in the form of a proposed 1 percent sales tax extension, this fall.

The district must decide in the next week which projects will make the cut.

November will be here before you know it. Voters will have the option to extend a 1 percent sales tax allowing more schools and stadiums to build in Charleston County.

As it stands now 24 projects are on the district's priority list.

North Charleston has the most expensive wish list, coming in at more than $200 million.

Highlights in that area include a new Garrett High School big enough for 1000 students.

A regional football stadium that could seat 6,000 is also on the drawing board in North Charleston.

Another regional stadium, of the same size, is planned for Mount Pleasant. But the projected budget of $8 million for that stadium isn't as expensive as a new stadium in North Charleston; it's just over half the cost.

Mount Pleasant does have the most expensive item on the list though, a new East Cooper High School.

It would hold up to 2,000 students and would be built on the Wando South campus. Jennie Moore and Laing Middle currently share a building on the proposed site off Mathis Ferry Road.

There are five projects on the list in the growing West Ashley area. The priciest is a new CE Williams Middle School at $44 million. West Ashley High School could be getting a Center for Advance Studies costing around the same price.

A similar building is being finished right now at Wando High School. It was funded with money from the last 1 percent sales tax.

A school district spokesperson says there's still a chance projects could be added or even taken off the list.

Downtown, Johns and James Islands all have projects on the district's list, too.

The school board is expected to make a final decision on which projects make the list at their meeting next Monday.

Proposed Priority List: Projects are listed in order of district, not importance.

District	Project Name	Budget
D2	New Carolina Park ES (900/1200 Site Adapt JMES)	$41,000,000
D2	New East Cooper HS (1500/2000 student @ Wando S.)	$81,800,000
D2	Wando Staduim (6,000 seats)	$8,100,000
D2	Land for 4th MS (25 acres near Awendaw)	$4,900,000
D2	East Cooper Montessori (Renovate Old Whitesides)	$5,800,000
D3	New Ft. Johnson MS (Site adapt LMS at 900/1,200)	$43,000,000
D3	James Island CHS (New CTE and Comp. Gym)	$21,000,000
D3	Murray-LaSaine Montessori (Renovate Annex)	$1,000,000
D4	Burns ES (Whole School Renovations)	$20,000,000
D4	Dunston ES (New CD-5 500 student)	$22,600,000
D4	Morningside MS (New 900 student MS)	$42,000,000
D4	New N. Charleston Football Stadium (6,000 seats)	$14,200,000
D4	New Garrett HS (1000 students)	$62,700,000
D4	North Region CAS	$42,700,000
D9	Haut Gap ES (New 500 student ES)	$23,000,000
D9	Haut Gap MS (100 student expansion)	$8,300,000
D10	Stono Park ES (new 600 student ES on SAMS campus)	$24,800,000
D10	W. Ashley Ctr. Adv. Studies (CTE Building on WAHS)	$42,700,000
D10	New CE Williams MS (900/1200 on WA property)	$44,200,000
D10	Ashley River CAES (Grades 6-8 Addition)	$9,500,000
D10	Renovate existing CE Williams ES	$10,300,000
D20	Mitchell ES (Renovate existing facility)	$11,400,000
D20	District 20 MS (Demo Rhet, New 450 student MS)	$23,300,000
D20	James Simons (Upfit 3rd floor of MS)	$2,500,000
		$610,800,000

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